Fireworks draw a crowd

Sisters Madalynn and Abagail Warzecha, both 19 months, and Maci Warzecha, 3, enjoy ice cream while waiting for the fireworks to begin during the Naugatuck’s annual Fourth of July Celebration Sunday in Naugatuck. –RA ARCHIVE

NAUGATUCK — Fourth of July revelers do not seem to mind what date or location fireworks celebrations are held, so long as the bright lights fill the sky eventually.

Naugatuck’s fireworks displays took place Sunday night, two days after Independence Day, because rain postponed the original date. Because of the construction project Naugatuck High School, the event was moved from its traditional location. Naugatuck lit its fireworks from Breen and Rotary fields and people watched mostly from downtown.

Despite the changes, thousands showed up to the event and watched in awe as booming displays made the crowd feel a bit more patriotic.

“I don’t think the date makes a difference; it’s still a good time,” said Colleen Antolini of Naugatuck as she held hands with her 5-year-old daughter, Liana, who had just visited with a clown, got a balloon and had an ice pop before the fireworks started.

She said the locale change gave the event a carnival atmosphere, kind of like Naugatuck’s annual Duck Race in June.

Grace Jimenez watched from a blanket on Old Firehouse Road in downtown Naugatuck with family and friends. She said the fireworks display is nice at Naugatuck High School, the traditional location, but the downtown area is a good substitute.